I recently have been removed from my career. I will not discuss the circumstances here, simply because it is irrelevant and in the past. (I have no hard feelings, except that a severance package would have been nice :) )
With that being said, it is not so bad being unemployed (so far). In the most precious time in our families growth I have been able to witness the past month or so of my son growing up and learning new things every day. I never would have been able to bond so much with him, and he with me, if it weren't for this opportunity. My wife, my son, and I have been able to spend more time together than we ever have! It has also gotten me to reflect on my life and choices. I decided I would post Bible verses/passages that either do or do not relate. Maybe people have used the Bible to try and encourage you or guide you in your career or career search. Maybe people have used these verses or passages and they have helped you out, or maybe they have made things worse and misguided you. I don't know. What I want to try to do is help, and mostly to clear my own mind in order to reflect on what I have done in the previous stage in my life, what I am doing in this stage of my life, and what I should do in the next.
Matthew 6:25-44 NRSV
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
- As you may know it is Matthew writing about what Jesus teaches to the crowds following him, up on the mount'. What strikes me most about this "passage of encouragement," as most people like to use this passage for, is that I feel like he is speaking directly to me as one "of little faith". This is a very timely passage however, as many of you know, being unemployed means little to no income. Therefore, there are all kinds of things in this world that are there to worry about. This is especially true if you have not been a good steward of what you have been given, which in my present reflection I could certainly use a lot of help with.
The summation of this passage is v34, however it is not separate from v33. Many use v33 and v34 to say that "God will provide all that you need, so don't worry about tomorrow." This is NOT the summation of what Jesus is saying here. Jesus is begging us to reflect on our faith and reflect on what we strive for, because it is directly related to being provided for like God provides for creation. Have I been striving for the kingdom of God and his righteousness first? Am I doing this now? Was I doing this while I was being blessed? I have fallen short LORD, and I beg for your forgiveness. My toil, rewards, and blessings have seemingly been in vanity for I have not sought YOU first.
Ecclesiastes 9:9b-10 NRSV
9b in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
- In addition to this I would like to add a commentary by a Pastor Jack Wellman (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/05/08/top-7-bible-verses-about-work-work-ethic-or-employment/)
"This is one of my favorite Bible verses on employment because Solomon says that whatever our job is you are to “do it with [all of] your might.” Wherever God has placed us, it is a holy vocation and not just a job. We work for God and not just our employer. Ultimately, God will reward us, if not in this life, surely in the life to come. For those who hate their job, realize that where you are is no accident. You work for God and so we should do our jobs the very best that we can because we are an example to those outside of the household of faith. We can make a good impression for the Lord or we can bring shame to the cause of Christ so we ought to “obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord” (Col 3:22). In other words, don’t just start looking busy when the boss is watching but even when he isn’t, for God is always watching everything you do."
- As I have been working and now that I have no employment, yet am still working in other ways, This VERSE has been quoted to me to encourage effort in whatever I do for work. It has been used to encourage people in all aspects of jobs to get them to put their full effort towards it. Unfortunately, this PASSAGE is not something that is directed towards people that have hope in death. In fact the writer of Ecclesiastes is reflecting on the vanity, meaninglessness, of his life. Please refer to this set of verses which is the heart of the passage:
Ecclesiastes 9:4-10 NRSV
4 But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no more reward, and even the memory of them is lost. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished; never again will they have any share in all that happens under the sun. 7 Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do. 8 Let your garments always be white; do not let oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that are given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
It is interesting the theology progression of "Sheol" in the Bible from beginning to end. If you are unaware, at this point in the beliefs of those who are writing in the Bible, Sheol was the place where all the dead go. Righteous and unrighteous. Those that sacrifice and those that do not. It is not until later writings that God reveals that death will be conquered and there will be a resurrection. God has revealed his plans to us, through the prophetic writings, and the new testament, and therefore we are no longer connected with the same fate as the dead described in this passage. The entire point of Ecclesiastes is a reflection of the vanity of life if the end result is the same no matter who you are, what you know, and what you have done. FORTUNATELY God reveals to us that this is not God's plan. In all actuality vs7-10 are an embrace of meaningless vanity in life as the writer knew it, because there is no hope without redemption and the new heaven and new earth.
Aside from all of that, as the passage in Matthew states, "Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness", this is in contrast with the idea of putting your "full might" towards meaningless things, or "whatever your hand finds to do". If it is not pointing towards the kingdom of God and righteousness, then we are just like the dead who have no faith and hope. Thanks Ecclesiastical writings for helping us to realize how blessed we are to have as much information from God as we currently do! If we did not then this meaninglessness would make me quite angry!
(I do not mean to call this pastor out on an incorrect understanding of this passage, I just wanted to give him his due while citing his work.)
(Also, with this revelation, maybe what you are doing as a career is not striving for the kingdom of God and righteousness, maybe what you are doing is in fact vanity. Is God calling you to something else for his kingdom?)
Romans 8:28 NRSV
"28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. "
- This verse by itself is used by everyone to explain everything that is happening as if it makes anyone feel better about crap that is happening in their lives. We Christians are so unfaithful to the task put before us to actually reflect on the word of God and draw out of it truth from God. In contrast to just pulling this verse out of thin air, Romans 8 is so beautiful and full of life and reflection and guidance. Why do people pull single verses out like this when the passage itself speaks so well? Yes, I have commentary on this passage as a whole, but at this time I feel as though I should just post the entire passage and let you feel and know the freedom and grace and power and hope that it teaches. The single v28 in no way reaches the depth of life changing wisdom and knowledge that this entire chapter does, and no words that I can provide with this or add to this can help you out more in your time of searching (not just with careers, jobs, money, but with all of life and death). This passage brings together what we have discussed in Matthew and Ecclesiastes and just packs a punch of truth that I find to be the most encouraging at this time (there are so many aspects in here that point back to so many things not mentioned as well! It truly is amazing.)
Romans 8 NRSV
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit,[h] since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit[s] intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
TRUTH!
With that being said, it is not so bad being unemployed (so far). In the most precious time in our families growth I have been able to witness the past month or so of my son growing up and learning new things every day. I never would have been able to bond so much with him, and he with me, if it weren't for this opportunity. My wife, my son, and I have been able to spend more time together than we ever have! It has also gotten me to reflect on my life and choices. I decided I would post Bible verses/passages that either do or do not relate. Maybe people have used the Bible to try and encourage you or guide you in your career or career search. Maybe people have used these verses or passages and they have helped you out, or maybe they have made things worse and misguided you. I don't know. What I want to try to do is help, and mostly to clear my own mind in order to reflect on what I have done in the previous stage in my life, what I am doing in this stage of my life, and what I should do in the next.
Matthew 6:25-44 NRSV
25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, 29 yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 “So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
- As you may know it is Matthew writing about what Jesus teaches to the crowds following him, up on the mount'. What strikes me most about this "passage of encouragement," as most people like to use this passage for, is that I feel like he is speaking directly to me as one "of little faith". This is a very timely passage however, as many of you know, being unemployed means little to no income. Therefore, there are all kinds of things in this world that are there to worry about. This is especially true if you have not been a good steward of what you have been given, which in my present reflection I could certainly use a lot of help with.
The summation of this passage is v34, however it is not separate from v33. Many use v33 and v34 to say that "God will provide all that you need, so don't worry about tomorrow." This is NOT the summation of what Jesus is saying here. Jesus is begging us to reflect on our faith and reflect on what we strive for, because it is directly related to being provided for like God provides for creation. Have I been striving for the kingdom of God and his righteousness first? Am I doing this now? Was I doing this while I was being blessed? I have fallen short LORD, and I beg for your forgiveness. My toil, rewards, and blessings have seemingly been in vanity for I have not sought YOU first.
Ecclesiastes 9:9b-10 NRSV
9b in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
- In addition to this I would like to add a commentary by a Pastor Jack Wellman (http://www.patheos.com/blogs/christiancrier/2014/05/08/top-7-bible-verses-about-work-work-ethic-or-employment/)
"This is one of my favorite Bible verses on employment because Solomon says that whatever our job is you are to “do it with [all of] your might.” Wherever God has placed us, it is a holy vocation and not just a job. We work for God and not just our employer. Ultimately, God will reward us, if not in this life, surely in the life to come. For those who hate their job, realize that where you are is no accident. You work for God and so we should do our jobs the very best that we can because we are an example to those outside of the household of faith. We can make a good impression for the Lord or we can bring shame to the cause of Christ so we ought to “obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord” (Col 3:22). In other words, don’t just start looking busy when the boss is watching but even when he isn’t, for God is always watching everything you do."
- As I have been working and now that I have no employment, yet am still working in other ways, This VERSE has been quoted to me to encourage effort in whatever I do for work. It has been used to encourage people in all aspects of jobs to get them to put their full effort towards it. Unfortunately, this PASSAGE is not something that is directed towards people that have hope in death. In fact the writer of Ecclesiastes is reflecting on the vanity, meaninglessness, of his life. Please refer to this set of verses which is the heart of the passage:
Ecclesiastes 9:4-10 NRSV
4 But whoever is joined with all the living has hope, for a living dog is better than a dead lion. 5 The living know that they will die, but the dead know nothing; they have no more reward, and even the memory of them is lost. 6 Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished; never again will they have any share in all that happens under the sun. 7 Go, eat your bread with enjoyment, and drink your wine with a merry heart; for God has long ago approved what you do. 8 Let your garments always be white; do not let oil be lacking on your head. 9 Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that are given you under the sun, because that is your portion in life and in your toil at which you toil under the sun. 10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might; for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.
It is interesting the theology progression of "Sheol" in the Bible from beginning to end. If you are unaware, at this point in the beliefs of those who are writing in the Bible, Sheol was the place where all the dead go. Righteous and unrighteous. Those that sacrifice and those that do not. It is not until later writings that God reveals that death will be conquered and there will be a resurrection. God has revealed his plans to us, through the prophetic writings, and the new testament, and therefore we are no longer connected with the same fate as the dead described in this passage. The entire point of Ecclesiastes is a reflection of the vanity of life if the end result is the same no matter who you are, what you know, and what you have done. FORTUNATELY God reveals to us that this is not God's plan. In all actuality vs7-10 are an embrace of meaningless vanity in life as the writer knew it, because there is no hope without redemption and the new heaven and new earth.
Aside from all of that, as the passage in Matthew states, "Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness", this is in contrast with the idea of putting your "full might" towards meaningless things, or "whatever your hand finds to do". If it is not pointing towards the kingdom of God and righteousness, then we are just like the dead who have no faith and hope. Thanks Ecclesiastical writings for helping us to realize how blessed we are to have as much information from God as we currently do! If we did not then this meaninglessness would make me quite angry!
(I do not mean to call this pastor out on an incorrect understanding of this passage, I just wanted to give him his due while citing his work.)
(Also, with this revelation, maybe what you are doing as a career is not striving for the kingdom of God and righteousness, maybe what you are doing is in fact vanity. Is God calling you to something else for his kingdom?)
Romans 8:28 NRSV
"28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. "
- This verse by itself is used by everyone to explain everything that is happening as if it makes anyone feel better about crap that is happening in their lives. We Christians are so unfaithful to the task put before us to actually reflect on the word of God and draw out of it truth from God. In contrast to just pulling this verse out of thin air, Romans 8 is so beautiful and full of life and reflection and guidance. Why do people pull single verses out like this when the passage itself speaks so well? Yes, I have commentary on this passage as a whole, but at this time I feel as though I should just post the entire passage and let you feel and know the freedom and grace and power and hope that it teaches. The single v28 in no way reaches the depth of life changing wisdom and knowledge that this entire chapter does, and no words that I can provide with this or add to this can help you out more in your time of searching (not just with careers, jobs, money, but with all of life and death). This passage brings together what we have discussed in Matthew and Ecclesiastes and just packs a punch of truth that I find to be the most encouraging at this time (there are so many aspects in here that point back to so many things not mentioned as well! It truly is amazing.)
Romans 8 NRSV
8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. 3 For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do: by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and to deal with sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the just requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For this reason the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law—indeed it cannot, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9 But you are not in the flesh; you are in the Spirit,[h] since the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through his Spirit that dwells in you.
12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh— 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
18 I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; 20 for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; 23 and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what is seen? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. 27 And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit[s] intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
31 What then are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? 33 Who will bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written,
“For your sake we are being killed all day long;
we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
TRUTH!
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